The Statler Brothers
The Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Virginia.
Founded in 1955 Harold Reid ( born 1939 ), Lew DeWitt ( 1938-1990 ), Philip Balsley (* 1939) and Joe McDorman in Staunton, Virginia, the group under the name Four Star Quartet. Her first appearance was in 1955 in front of 40 spectators in a local Methodist church.
1961 Joe McDorman was replaced by Don Reid, the younger brother of Harold Reid, and it changed its name to The Kingsmen. The group played a catchy, nostalgia -oriented country gospel. The hallmark of the unusually deep bass Harold Reid, which can be heard in almost every song was. Your reputation in the region around Staunton rose steadily. The number of performances increased accordingly, although all the band members were still working at that time.
In August 1963, a first contact to Johnny Cash was prepared via a local concert promoter. It even managed to present him some pieces. Cash expressed quite positive, but allowed to hear nothing more from him. The Statler Brothers later did not give up and annoyed the big star until he included it in his show. Meanwhile, another group popped up with the name The Kingsmen. Without further ado, we are baptized into The Statler Brothers. The name is said to come from a box of paper towels, tissues Statler, which is said to have been accidentally on the table in the discussion on the renaming.
Career
Johnny Cash brought the quartet to the record company, Columbia Records, in which he himself was also under contract. It was agreed that three singles are produced. The first two attempts flopped, but the Lew DeWitt composition Flowers on the Wall reached both in the country and in the pop charts high positions and earned them two Grammy Awards. The piece is now considered her most famous song. The drummer WS Holland was by Cash's Tennessee Three band. More than eight years, the Statler Brothers with Johnny Cash collaborated, among others, they appeared at his concerts At Folsom Prison At San Quentin and At Madison Square Garden as well as the house band at the Johnny Cash Show on. They thanked the man who had prepared the way for them with the song We Got Paid By Cash.
1969 changed the Statler Brothers to Mercury Records, where they were cared for from producer Jerry Kennedy, who was to have a significant contribution to the success that follows. Harold Reid referred to him once as the fifth member of the Statler Brothers. Already their first single Bed Of Roses reached a top 10 position. In 1972 the Hit The Class Of '57 and 1973 Carry Me Back. The group produced in these years, numerous LPs, including some concept albums. Many of their songs were original compositions written most of Don Reid. Between 1972 and 1977 they were six times in a row "CMA Vocal Group of the Year".
1982, the ill Lew DeWitt was replaced by Jimmie Fortune. DeWitt died eight years later at the age of 52 years. Jimmie Fortune, which also came from the area around Staunton, turned out to be a gifted songwriter. His 1983 authored Elizabeth reached the top of the country charts, just like a year later, My Only Love and 1985 Too Much on My Heart.
As of 1991, the Statler Brothers had their own television show. The plate successes were rare, but a loyal fan base continued to stand to them. 1994, a 3- CD compilation was released, containing the most important songs from thirty years.
On 22 October 2002, the Statler Brothers gave their last concert ever since they have retreated from show business.
2008, they were incorporated into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Discography
Columbia Label:
- Flowers on the Wall ( 1966)
- The Statler Brothers Sing the Big Hits (1967 )
- Sing Oh Happy Day (1968 )
- How Great Thou Art (1969 )
Mercury Label:
- Bed of Roses ( 1970)
- Pictures of Moments to Remember (1971 )
- Inner View ( 1972)
- Country Music - Then and Now (1972 )
- Sing Country Symphonies in E Major (1972 )
- Carry Me Back (1973 )
- Thank You World ( 1974)
- Sons of the Motherland (1974 )
- Best Of ... Greatest Hits (1975 )
- Holy Bible - Old Testament ( 1975)
- Holy Bible - New Testament ( 1975)
- Harold, Lew, Phil & Don (1976 )
- The Country America Loves (1977 )
- Short Stories (1977 )
- Entertainers on & off the Record (1978 )
- Christmas Card ( 1978)
- The Originals (1979 )
- Best of Rides Again - Greatest Hits Vol.II (1979 )
- 10th Anniversary (1980 )
- Years Ago (1981 )
- The Legend Goes On (1982 )
- Today (1983 )
- Atlanta Blue ( 1984)
- Pardners in Ryme (1985 )
- Christmas Present (1985 )
- Four for the Show ( 1986)
- Radio Gospel Favorites (1986 )
- Maple Street Memories ( 1987)
- Greatest Hits Vol III (1988 )
- Statler Bros. Live (1989 )
- Music, Memories & You (1990 )
- All American Country (1991 )
- Words and Music (1992 )
- Today's Gospel Favorites (1993 )
- Home (1993 )
- 30th Anniversary Celebration (1994 )
- Sing the Others (1995 )
- Showtime (2001)
- Amen (2002)